Use wish and if only to talk about regrets and to describe an imaginary situation which is the opposite of the real situation.

Past simple

Use the past simple to talk about present or future situations using a stative verb: I wish / If only I had more time. (But I don’t have time.)I wish / If only I wasn’t / weren’t* so busy. (But I am very busy.)*You can use was or were with I, he, she and it. Were is more formal. (See Unit 87)

could

Use could to talk about abilities and possibilities:I wish / If only I could read. (but I can’t read)I wish / If only I could come with you. (but I can’t)

would

Use would to talk about a desire for someone to do something differently or for a situation to be different. You often use would to talk about another person’s annoying habits or an annoying situation:I wish / If only you wouldn’t do that. (but you insist on doing that annoying thing.)

I wish / If only you’d stop worrying. (but you don’t stop)Notice that you cannot use the same subject in both clauses with would: I wish I wouldn’t work so hard. ✗

(say If only I didn’t have to work so hard.)I wish you wouldn’t work so hard. 3

Past continuous

Use the past continuous to talk about . . .• actions in progress at the present time: I wish / If only

it wasn’t raining. (but it is raining)• future plans and intentions: I wish / If only I wasn’t

working this evening. (but I am working this evening)

Past perfect

Use the past perfect to talk about past situations: I wish / If only you’d told me about it earlier. (but you didn’t tell me) I wish / If only I hadn’t done that. (but I did)

could have

Use could have to talk about lost opportunities in the past:I wish / If only I could have found someone to cover for me. (but I couldn’t) I wish / If only you could have been there. (but you weren’t)

Presentation

Girlfriend: OK, well, if you’re not coming, you can at least wish me good luck!

Boyfriend: If only I could come. I really wish I didn’t have this meeting tonight. But you know how it is – I have to go. If only you’d told me about it earlier, I could have asked Bob to go in my place.

Girlfriend: I wish you’d stop lying! I know you hate these things. If only you’d be honest about it for once!

Life Upper Intermediate Unit 7bwish / if only

Practical Grammar 3 1 © National Geographic Learning

1 Choose the correct options.

1 I wish I knew / would know how to play golf. 2 You speak Russian so beautifully. I wish I could / would speak Russian like you. 3 I wish you came / were coming to the party this evening. 4 This film is awful! I wish I stayed / ’d stayed at home.5 I wish I could have met / would have met your father. 6 A: I’m bored! B: I wish you weren’t saying / wouldn’t say that!

2 Look at the pictures and complete the people’s thoughts using the verbs in brackets. Then listen and check.

1 I wish I (read)

Japanese.

2 If only I (bring)

my umbrella.

3 I wish it (be) so hot!

4 I wish you (bite)

your nails all the time!

5 If only I (not/go)

home tomorrow.

6 If only I (have)

enough money.

3 Complete the sentences so that they are true for you.

1 I wish I were .2 I wish I could .3 If only I wasn’t tomorrow. 4 If only I hadn’t .

Upper Intermediate Unit 7bExercises

Practical Grammar 3 2 © National Geographic Learning